Lewis Hamilton takes pole at Mexico City Grand Prix, beating George Russell

Lewis Hamilton claimed pole position for the Mexico City Grand Prix after a close qualifying session at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. He edged out George Russell by 0.009 seconds, and the result gives Ferrari its first pole of the 2026 season.

Russell had gone quickest with his final run, moving ahead of Charles Leclerc on the provisional grid. Hamilton answered with a faster first sector on his own final lap, which was enough to take the top spot. The margin was tiny, but it was enough to settle the order at the front.

The pole is Hamilton's first since 2023, a gap of three years. It also marks a rare moment of Ferrari at the front of the grid this season, with Leclerc finishing among the leading cars in the session.

A tight finish at the top

The session was decided in the first sector of the final push. Hamilton's time through that section was marginally quicker than Russell's, which proved decisive once the laps were totalled. Leclerc was also in contention until the closing laps.

For fans in India, the result adds to the interest in a season that has seen the front of the grid shift between teams. Formula 1 races are broadcast in India, and the Mexico City race will be followed closely by the Indian audience.

The Mexico City Grand Prix is the next event for the drivers to contest, and the race itself will decide whether pole translates into a win. Qualifying results do not always carry through to the race, and the grid for the race will be set by these times.